. >> it's a testament to all of you here and his wonderful mother, bonny. >> reporter: his mom and grandmother were both there with the rest of the family from east palo alto and some old friends. >> you have risen above poverty, above race, in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the bay area. you were a student rising above. now, you are a lawyer rising above. >> reporter: five years ago, his partner, tim falard, inched him to come here, now the attorney general of california. she came to do the honors. >> the bottom line is this is a sign of strength and leadership and you know what you're capable of, inspite of whatever odds other people may think you face, and you know that you can achieve. >> reporter: and then it was time. >> i, benny joe mackey the second, to the best of my knowledge and ability. >> welcome to the profession. >> i am -- i am excited and happy at the same time. >> i am so proud of him, because i knew something good is going to come out of east palo alto, and it was kind of out of my family. >> reporter: something good has come out of east palo alto, and now we'll be wat